Cogitator April 2, 2014

Posted by George Cooper 
on Apr 02, 2014
 
 

 

VISITING ROTARIANS

None.

GUESTS

Jane Boynton invited Cindy Cidrone, Regional Sales Manager from Best Tile.  Also on hand was Carlos Figueroa, a local wine importer and distributor. 

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Happy 23rd wedding anniversary wishes go out this week (April 8th) to Jane (and John) Boynton. 

ROTARY ANNIVERSARY

Happy Rotary anniversary to Bill Winter who on April 4th celebrates his second year in the club.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

-April is Magazine Month for Rotary!  Rotarian Magazine is read by some 1.2 million people across the globe each month.  President Jodi Gladstone reminded us that it’s a great magazine, offering a chance each month to be informed and inspired. 

-There will be a District Assembly on April 12th at CCRI in Newport.

-District 7950’s Annual Conference will be held in Falmouth, MA on May 2nd and 3rd.  Please see President Jodi if you’d like to attend either day or both. 

-Also, the District Governor Installation Banquet for the 2014-2015 Rotary year will be held on Friday, June 20th at the Crown Plaza in Warwick.  Let’s try to put a nice group together, seeing how it’s truly in our own back yard this year!

-Jane Boynton reminded us that Wine and Wonderful will be held Friday, May 2nd at Swift Community Center.  Tickets are only $35, while a table of ten will cost $320.  Siena, Besos, Chianti’s, Greenwich Bay Gourmet, Pinelli’s, and Silver Spoon Bakery will be on hand that evening with some delicious food.  The ‘wine grab’--one bottle of wine matched with one gift certificate--will allow us to raise money for the East Greenwich Rotary Charitable Fund.  Last but certainly not least, it will be a wonderful wine tasting and a great social night for the club as well!

-Judy Pratt needs as many volunteers as possible for the Scott Carlson ALS 5K race/event on Saturday, April 19th.  Please don’t forget to sign up at next week’s meeting! 

PRESIDENTIAL MINUTE

Sally Russell’s presidential year (1994-1995) was a very special one for many reasons.  Daughter of founder Howard Russell, Sally was our club’s first woman president.  Our own Chuck Keyes was District 7950’s governor that same year.  Founders Gill Thorpe, Ralph Taylor, Howard Silverman, Irving Silverman, and Bill Foster were all on hand for Sally’s big installation.  Andy Erickson received the Percy Hodgson Award, the highest district honor for a local Rotarian, for his service and leadership.  And, Sally oversaw the immunization program in the West End of Providence known as ‘Big Shots for Little Tots.’

Sally said, ‘It wasn’t a tough job being president of our club, since we have such a good team of hard-working Rotarians.  I was very proud to have served!’ 

ROTARY BANNER EXCHANGE

How’s this for impressive?  Not yet a member, although in the queue, guest Carlos Figueroa brought a flag back from Santiago, Chile!  Andy Erickson, Flag Committee Chairman, was happy to receive Carlos’ banner and reminded everyone what a positive experience it is, exchanging banners with clubs around the country, and around the world! 

 

HAPPY BUCKS

(This week and next, Happy Bucks funds will go to the Feinstein Hunger Challenge, so give generously!)

-Ed Neff was happy for his new job driving cars for Hertz.  But he was even happier about his two grandkids on the way in May and June! 

-Bob MacKenzie was in California with son-in-law Jon TerMeer and his family last week, enjoying some time away and beautiful weather out West.    

-Vin Meola traveled with his girlfriend Holly to Key West, FL, for Holly’s niece’s wedding.  Vin was proud to see the Red Sox visiting the White House last week.  And, as perennial ‘fastest East Greenwich Rotarian’ of our ALS 5K since day one, Vin issued his annual challenge to the rest of the club.

-Sally Russell noted a great article in this month’s Rotarian Magazine about Warren Buffett’s son who, when given a billion dollars by his dad, began a earnest campaign to fight hunger throughout the world. 

-President Jodi thanked Sally for being an important part of her induction ceremony last June.  Also, Jodi is making plans to visit her son Caleb in Israel.

-Soozie Sundlun was happy for her friends Sally Russell and Jodi Gladstone. 

-Bob Sloan was glad to remember Sally’s year as president, noting that our club has been made much richer by the many women inducted over the years.

-Andy Erickson gave a happy buck for Sally, and her dad, Howard Russell, who happened to be his sponsor.      

-Bob Petrucelli was happy that the end is near—only two weeks left of tax season! 

-Chuck Sauer happily fined Jane Boynton $5 for her recent advertisement on Facebook. 

-Yours truly was happy to recall Sally Russell’s presidential year as my first (1995) in the club! 

 

PROGRAM/SPEAKER

Ashley Kuzmanko, Development Director of Boys Town New England

While ministering to the homeless on the streets of Omaha, Nebraska, Father Edward Joseph Flanagan developed a lifelong interest in young people and their struggle to grow into responsible, productive members of society. Today, with your help, we continue Father Flanagan's mission of saving children and healing families. 

As one of the largest non-profit child-care agencies in the country, we provide compassionate treatment for the behavioral, emotional and physical problems of children and families. Each year, Boys Town touches the lives of over 2 million people.  www.BoysTown.org

Some 95 years after the ministry work of Father Flanagan, Boys Town New England serves some 1,000 families and children in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  Five group homes on 18 acres in Portsmouth, Rhode Island help provide love, care, and support to many in need in the community.

‘When you help a child today, you write the history of tomorrow,’ said Father Flanagan. 

Today, Boys Town New England offers programs such as:  Boys Town Family Homes; Boys Town Foster Family Services; Boys Town In-Home Family Services; and, Common Sense Parenting.   

http://www.boystown.org/locations/new-england

Ashley Kuzmanko, Boys Town New England